As a nation state, Italy has emerged only in 1871. Until then the country was politically divided into a large number of independant cities, provinces and islands. The currently available evidences point out to a dominant Etruscan, Greek and Roman cultural influence on today's Italians.

I am trying to find any information on my great grandfather Benedetto Cocozza he was born around 1854 and his father was Gennaro Cocozza a farmer. I do not know the region of Italy he was born but would appreciate any information
Thanks

-----
from ancestry.comSince the original birth, marriage and death registers are not open to the public, getting access to the information on one of these certificates is done by first searching the national birth, marriage and death indexes, that have been created by the GRO for this purpose. The indexes for the three events are each divided into quarterly volumes, with the names for each quarter listed alphabetically. Once an entry in one of the indexes is found, you are then able to use that information to order of copy of a death, marriage or birth certificate from the GRO/ONS.

Following my reply yesterday just a quick question. Have you ever come across the name Ngaline (or Mgaline) before? I'm sure is a mis spelling but I cannot find any name remotely like it anywhere?
Thanks for all your help, I really need it.
Kind Regards Sue

it seems that the Cocozza in UK, some people coming from Vallerotonda town and some other from Viticuso town inFrosinone province( Lazio region).... however this surname is very frequent in Lazio, Abruzzi, Molise, Campania regions.... Gennaro first name let me think that could be born also in Campania region, where this first name have a large frequency... regards, suanj

have a tree with a benedetto cocozza on it,and census images for cocozzas in wakefield 1901 census
nicandro cocozza from pozzilli married maria scaramuzza ,nicandro cocozza first appeared in the uk in the 1891 census living with antonio scaramuzza

I know this forum is a couple of years old but I find myself with exactly the same dilemma as you. Benedetto Cocozza was my great great grandfather. I have a lot of the family history on my tree on ancestry.co.uk and it's public so have a look if you wish. I haven't been able as yet to find where in Italy he came from either and am wondering if you'd made any discoveries in that direction since you started this topic.